Extendable platform



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1968 INVENTOR Edward J. Kovach BY ATTOR EYS A ril 7, 1970 E. J. KOVACH 3,504,642

EXTENDABLE PLATFORM Filed Jan. 25, 1968 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Edward J. Kovach BY 7%2/01: 3W

ATTORN Y3 United States Patent 3,504,642 EXTENDABLE PLATFORM Edward J. Kovach, 312 W. 76th St., New York, NY. 10023 Filed Jan. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 700,457 Int. 'Cl. A47b 1/00 U.S. Cl. 108-65 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A leg-supported extendable platform wherein the platform is comprised of a plurality of spaced parallel slats, divided into a plurality of sections, with the slats of adjacent sections being interleaved with each other in a telescopic relationship whereby the sections may be extended and retracted with respect to each other in a single plane. The platform is mounted on a leg-supported frame and in the fully retracted position has a length equal to the length of the frame. In an extended position, the platform extends beyond the frame in a cantilever fashion and, therefore, the platform may be extended and retracted without the necessity of moving the supporting structure.

This invention relates to a leg-supported platform and more particularly to an extendable leg-supported platform which may be employed as a table, bench, or the like.

A wide variety of extendable tables are known in the art, but in general, such tables are not of unitary structure, and consequently, a variety of extension members and the like must be added thereto. U.S. Patent No. 2,888,305, granted May 26, 1959, describes a self contained leg-supported extendable platform wherein the legs and platform are of unitary structure and, accordingly, the support structure and platform must be moved simultaneously in order to effect extension and retraction thereof.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved leg-supported extendable platform.

A further object of this invention is to provide a legsupported extendable platform wherein the platform may be extended without movement of the supporting structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a legsupported platform wherein the platform may be extended from the support structure in a cantilever fashion.

These and other objects of the invention should be readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof when read with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the leg-supported platform of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the platform in a partially expanded position;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the frame and platform;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken through line 44 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a section taken through line 55 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the several figures, there is shown a leg-supported platform generally indicated as 10, containing a center section 11, a plurality of intermediate sections 12 and two end sections 21. The intermediate sections 12 of the platform are comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced parallel strips or slats 13, formed of a suitable material, such as wood, with each section 12 being divided into two subsections 14 and 15. The subsection 14 is formed from a plurality of the spaced parallel slats 13 having one end of the "ice bottom surfaces thereof rigidly secured to a center crossplate '16, and the other end of the bottom surfaces thereof secured to a cross-plate 17, the cross-plate 17 having a narrower width than the cross-plate 16, i.e., a width of about one-half the width of cross-plate :16. The space between the slats 13 of subsections 14 and 15 is slightly greater than the width of a slat.

The subsection 15 is formed from a plurality of the spaced parallel slats 13 having one end of the bottom surfaces thereof secured to the center cross-plate 16 in the spaces between the slats 13 of the subsection 14 so that the slats 13 of subsections 14 and 15 are interleaved with each other on the center cross-plate 16. The slats 13 of the subsection 15 extend in a direction opposite to the slats 13 of the subsection 14 and the other end of the bottom surfaces thereof are rigidly secured to a cross-plate 18. The slats of each subsection 14 and 15 are of equal length. The cross-plates may be formed of metal or similar material which will supply structural rigidity and the slats are secured to the plates by suitable fasteners, such as, screws, friction rivets, expansion bolts and the like.

Referring to FIGURE 2, wherein the platform is illustrated in various stages of expansion, a fully retracted portion 10a, a fully expanded portion 10b, and a partially expanded portion 100, three identical intermediate sections, for purposes of illustration, have been designated as A, A and A" and their respective cross-plates have been designated by like prime numerals. Thus, the sections 12 are interconnected with each other in a manner such that the cross-plate 17 of the subsection 14 of an overall section 12, designated as A, is positioned between the cross-plate 18 and the center cross-plate 16 of its next adjacent section 12, designated as A, with the slats 13 of the adjacent subsections 14 and 15 being in a staggered relationship with respect to each other. Similarly, the cross-plate 18 of the subsection 15 is posi tioned between the cross-plate 17" and the center crossplate 16" of its next adjacent section 12, designated as A. The upper surfaces of cross-plates 17 and 18 abut against the lower surfaces of the slats 13 of their respective next adjacent subsections 15' and 14", respectively, and are slidable with respect thereto. Thus, the slats 13 of subsections 14 and 15 of the overall section 12, designated as A, are interleaved with the slats 13 of subsections 15 and 14", respectively, of their next adjacent sections 12, designated as A and A", re spectively.

The sections 12 may be extended and retracted with respect to each other in a telescoping relationship. In a fully retracted position, the slats 13 of subsections 14 and 15 are positioned so that substantially the entire length of the slats 13 of each subsection are positioned in the spaces between the slats 13 of subsections 15' and 14", respectively, of their next adjacent sections 12, designed as A and A", respectively, with the crossplates 17 and 1 8 abutting against the center cross-plates 16' and 16", respectively. In a fully extended position, the slats 13 of subsections 14 and 15 are positioned so that only a small portion thereof extends into the spaces between the slats 13 of subsections 15' and 14", respectively, with the cross-plates 17 and 18 abutting against the cross-plates 18' and 17", respectively, of their next adjacent sections 12.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, the end sections 21 of the platform 10 are similar to the subsections 14 and 15, respectively, of an overall section .12. The end sections 21 are comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced parallel L-shaped strips or slats 22, the bottom surfaces of the interior end of the slats 22 being rigidly mounted on a cross-plate 23. The cross-plate 23 has a construction identical to the cross-plates 17 and 18. A plurality of L-shaped spacer members 24, formed of a suitable material, such as wood, are positioned in the spaces between slats 22 with the length of the downwardly extending portion 25 of the spacer member 24 having a length equal to the downwardly extending portion 26 of the slats 2-2. An angle cross-plate 27 extends in a transverse direction to slats 22 and is rigidly connected to the inner corner surfaces of the slats 22, and the inner corner surfaces of spacer members 24 thereby producing a unitary structure.

The end sections 21 are interconnected with the outer intermediate sections 12 such that the slats 13 and the slats 22 are interleaved with each other, in a manner similar to the relationship between sections 12. Consequently, the end sections 21 may be extended and retracted with respect to the outer intermediate sections 12.

The center section 11 of the platform 10 is comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced parallel slats or strips 31 having a length equal to the entire length of an intermediate section 12. The bottom surfaces of the outer ends of slats 31 are rigidly secured to crossplates 32 and 33 which are identical to the cross-plates 17 and 18, respectively. A cross-plate 34 is rigidly secured to the bottom surfaces of slats 31 at the center thereof, with the cross-plate 34 being identical to the cross-plates 16. A plurality of spacer members 35 are positioned in the spaces between slats 31 and are rigidly secured to the cross-plate 34 so that the center section 31 will have an appearance which is substantially identical to the intermediate sections 12 when the platform 10 is in either a retracted or expanded position.

The center section 11 is interconnected with the inner intermediate sections 12 such that the slats 31 and 13 are interleaved with each other in a manner similar to the relationship between sections 12. Accordingly, the inner intermediate sections 12 may be extended and retracted with respect to the center section 11.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 3, the support structure for the platform .10 comprises a frame 41 supported by legs 40. The frame is comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel bars 42 and a pair of parallel bars 43 extending in a transverse direction to the bars 42 and mounted on the outer ends thereof. A plurality of bars 44, parallel to the bars 43 are mounted between adjacent bars 42 at an intermediate portion thereof. A pair of upwardly extending guide members 45 are mounted on the outer surface of the two outer bars 42 and extend along the entire length thereof. The guide members 45 and the frame 41 provide a U-shaped guide surface for the platform 10, with the height of the guide members 45 being equal to the total thickness of the platform 10 and the frame 41 to provide a continuous planar surface.

In general, the frame and legs are formed of a suitable metal, such as, aluminum, steel or the like, and consequently, a wooden member 46 is mounted on the legs to provide a continuous wood appearance. The wooden member 46 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 47 which is rigidly mounted to the guide member 45 to provide a continuous wood appearance.

The platform 10 rests on the frame 41 with only the center cross-plate 34 of the center section '11 being rigidly mounted thereto. The intermediate sections 12 and the end sections 21 have the cross-plates thereof freely resting on the frame 41 with movement in the transverse direction being prevented by guide means 45. The length of the platform 10 is about equal to the length of the frame 41 and, consequently, upon extension thereof, the platform 10 extends beyond the frame 41 in a cantilever fashion. The support for the portion of the platform 10 extending beyond the frame 41 is provided by the central cross-plates 16 and the cross-plates 17 and =18 abutting against the bottom surfaces of slats 13.

The invention may be modified in many Ways without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, for example, the end sections 21 may be comprised of a full section 12 in which case the platform would be comprised of identical sections with the outer sections being provided with suitable spacing blocks. Similarly, the center section 11 may be replaced by a section 12 and in such a case the platform 10 would be comprised of a plurality of interleaved sections 12. In general, however, it is preferred that the platform It be constructed as hereinabove particularly described; i.e., with a center section 11, a plurality of intermediate sections 12 and two end sections 21, since this construction results in a platform having a symmetrical and uniform appearance.

As another modification, the frame may be provided with suitable channels, bearings, pistons, etc., for facilirating the movement of the platform. These and other modifications should be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings contained herein.

The leg-supported platform of the invention may be employed as a table, bench or the like. The platform is easily extended without any movement of the support structure and in an extended position has an eye-appealing cantilever structure.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a platform comprised of a plurality of sections, each section including a first plate means, a plurality of parallel slats in a single plane having one end of the bottom surfaces thereof connected to the first plate means with adjacent slats extending in opposite directions, a second plate means connecting together the other ends of the bottom surfaces of the slats extending in one direction and a third plate means connecting together the ends of the bottom surfaces of the slats extending in the opposite direction, the slats of adjacent sections being arranged in an interleaved telescopic relationship with the second and third plate means of a section abutting against the bottom surfaces of the slats of the next adjacent section and the second and third plate means of a section abutting against the first plate means of their next adjacent section in a fully retracted position; 1

a frame including legs, said plurality of sections being slidably mounted on said frame, the length of the platform in a retracted position being equal to the length of the frame whereby the platform in an expanded position extends beyond the frame in a cantilever fashion; and

a center section, said center sectiop comprising a plu rality of spaced parallel slats, a fourth plate means connecting together one end of the slats of the center section, a fifth plate means connecting together the other end of the slats of the center section, a sixth plate means rigidly connected to the slats of the center section at the center thereof, a first portion of said plurality of sections having the slats of one end thereof in an interleaved telescopic relationship with the slats of the center section at one end thereof and a second portion of said plurality of sections having the slats of one end thereof in an interleaved telescopic relationship with the slats of the center section at the other end thereof said center section being rigidly mounted to said frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform further comprises two end sections, each of said end sections comprising, a plurality of spaced parallel slats, seventh plate means connecting together one end of the slats of the end sections, spacer means connected to the other end of the slats of the end sections, the first portion of said plurality of sections having the slats of the other end thereof in an interleaved telescopic relationship with the slats of the first end section and the second portion of said plurality of said plurality of sections having the slats of the other end thereof in an interleaved telescopic relationship with the slats of the second end section whereby the first and second end sections may be expanded and retracted with respect to the plurality of sections; said end sections being slidably mounted on said frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the slats of the plurality of sections and the slats of the end sections are of equal length, and the slats of the center section are twice the length of the slats of the plurality of sections.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the slats of the end sections and the spacer members are L-shaped and further comprising an angle plate means rigidly secured to the inner corner surfaces of the slats of the end sections and the spacer members.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second and 6 third plate means are half the width of the first plate means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 182-223 

